Fukuoka is famous for two annual festivals which are some of Japan's oldest and draw huge crowds.
- Hakata Dontaku (博多どんたく). May 3–4, with a pre-ceremony on May 2. Japan's largest festival, drawing well over 2 million people during the Golden Week holidays. The name "Dontaku" comes from Dutch "zondag" meaning Sunday. The festival features traditional dance. (updated May 2019)
- Hakata Gion Yamakasa (博多祇園山笠). July 1–15. Fukuoka's second-largest festival, drawing up to a million spectators, is famous for the Oiyama parade float race. The elaborately-decorated yamakasa floats, around 5 m (16 ft) tall and weighing up to 1 tonne (1,000 kg), have no wheels; they're picked up and carried by teams of loincloth-clad men, each team representing one of the seven historic districts of Hakata. The race takes place on July 15; teams line up around 01:00, and at 04:59, drums signal teams to begin in 5-minute intervals. The 5-kilometer race takes about half an hour for the fastest teams. Much larger kazariyama floats, which are up to 13 m (43 ft) tall, are on display at street corners across the city, and are displayed indoors for the remainder of the year. (updated May 2019)
Other events:
- If you are visiting in November, be sure to check out the sumo matches held at Fukuoka Convention Center. You are bound to see some of the sumo wrestlers out on the streets doing a bit of tourism as well. Note that tickets may sell out well in advance of the event.
